Employees at San Joaquin Co. McDonald's get training to spot human trafficking

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 7:26 PM PDT Nov 4, 2016

Hide TranscriptShow Transcript

WEBVTT
>> IS THAT FOR HERE OR TO-GO
SIR?
VICKI: ELNETRA WILLIAMS FOCUS IS
A UNIQUE FORM OF CUSTOMER
SERVICE.
>> YOU ARE LOOKING AT
INTIMIDATION, IF THERE ARE
BRUISES.
VICKI: MCDONALD'S IN SAN JOAQUIN
COUNTY NOW PARTNERING WITH THE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN
THE FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN
TRAFFICKING.
>> OBVIOUSLY WE ARE IN THE
CORRIDOR-THE I-5 AND 99
CORRIDOR-SO THOSE ARE THE MAIN
THOROUGHFARES TO TRAFFIC PEOPLE
UP AND DOWN THE STATE.
VICKI: ELNETRA IS AMONG 1500
EMPLOYEES ACROSS 33 MCDONALD'S
LOCATIONS SPECIFICALLY TRAINED
TO HELP THOSE MOST VULNERABLE.
>> I THINK IT'S WONDERFUL.
I THINK IT'S A RESOURCES THAT'S
VERY NEEDED IN THIS COUNTY.
TO TRULY FEEL THE NEED, HEAR
FROM THIS WOMAN'S STORY.
>> HE WANTED TO BE MY BOYFRIEND
AND IT DIDN'T REALLY HAPPEN THAT
WAY.
RICK
VICKI HOMELESS AT 16, WITH NO
: ONE TO TURN TO.
>> I DID MY FIRST HOUR OF
WHATEVER WE DO, AND AFTER THAT I
TOLD HIM I DON'T WANT TO DO IT
NO MORE.
I DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT.
AND HE TOOK MY PHONE, HE THREW
IT ON THE FREEWAY, AND OPENED
THE DOOR AND KICKED ME OUT OF
THE FREEWAY.
VICKI: FEELING THAT IT'S
IMPOSSIBLE TO ESCAPE.
>> I'VE GOT PEPPER SPRAYED, I'VE
GOT A GUN POINTED AT, I'VE GOT
ROBBED.
I'VE BEEN THROUGH IT ALL.
VICKI AND THE IDEA OF A
: RESTAURANT STAPLE HELPING
OTHERS LIKE HER?
>> LIKE I AM SAFE.
THAT I HAVE SOMETHING AROUND ME
IF SOMETHING WOULD HAPPEN.
THAT I COULD GO TO THEM.
VICKI IT'S ONE THING TO SAY COME
: TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S
OFFICE, EVERYONE KNOWS WHY YOU
ARE COMING.
BUT YOU COULD WALK INTO
MCDONALD'S AND IN THAT ONE
MOMENT, FACE-TO-FACE WITH

Why NorCal McDonald’s eateries are ‘Safe’ for abuse victims

Employees at San Joaquin Co. McDonald's get training to spot human trafficking

McDonald’s locations across San Joaquin County are training their employees to protect human trafficking and domestic violence victims. The unique partnership involves the Schrader Family, which owns 33 McDonald’s locations in San Joaquin County, as well as the district attorney’s office.

FAST FACTS:

Advertisement

Related Content

-- At 33 McDonald’s locations in San Joaquin County, employees are part of human trafficking awareness program-- All 1,500 employees received special training to spot signs of abuse-- District Attorney’s Office believes it’s the first partnership of its kind in the country

“It’s one thing to say, ’Come to the District Attorney’s Office -- everyone knows why you are coming,’” District Attorney Tori Verber-Salazar said. “But, you could walk into McDonald’s and not be under that constant pressure and scrutiny and abuse. And have that one second — just that one second -- where you say, ’I need help.’”

San Joaquin County McDonald’s franchise owner Cari Schrader said the restaurants in the region have been locally owned for around 50 years. Her family has been working with the Women’s Center Youth & Family Services for two years to designate their locations as a “Safe Place.”

“I think it’s wonderful. I think it’s a resource that’s very needed in this county,” employee Elnetra Williams said. “We have so many teenagers and young people exposed to human trafficking -- and with no help.”

Williams is among 1,500 McDonald’s employees who underwent specific training to look out for signs of human trafficking and domestic violence.

“You are looking intimidation, if there are bruises, if they are guarded in their conversation with you,” Williams said.

Besides each McDonald’s location in San Joaquin County having a “Safe Place” sticker on its doors, victims know they can alert employees for help.

“Obviously, we are in the corridor -- the (Interstate) 5 and Highway 99 corridor. So, those are the main thoroughfares to traffic people up and down the state. So, we are right there,” San Joaquin County Family Justice Center spokesperson Suzanne Schultz said. “A lot of people aren’t aware that human trafficking is happening in our area. It’s not just a problem of Thailand or the Ukraine.”

Also, if a McDonald’s employee notices signs that someone is being victimized, they will alert law enforcement to intervene.

“To have a safe place that you know you can go to and rely upon," Williams said. "I think it’s especially rewarding."

A human trafficking survivor, who was a sex slave from the age of 16 to 19, explained it is common to stop at fast-food chains when being trafficked hundreds of miles -- and even out of state.

“No one should have to go through it. It’s mostly mind games and lies. Because at the end of the day, they are not here to help you, they are just here for the money,” she said. “No matter how much they say that they love you, they want to be with you, they are just there for the money. You are their money maker and without money they are homeless.”

The partnership has already proven to be a success. Schrader said in Manteca last month, a victim was rescued from an abuser.

“It gives us the opportunity of putting boots on the street, if you will, to fight against crime,” Verber-Salazar said. “We are talking about people who take children, 10 or 11 years old, and turn them into human-trafficking victims.”

The county believes this is the first partnership of its kind in the country and hopes it sets a national example to grow with more popular chains.